Snow keeps judge from court

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 339, 12 June 1990, Page 6

Snow keeps judge from court

For possibly the first time, the scheduled monthly sitting of the Ohakune District Court was unable to proceed as usual due to adverse weather conditions which prevented the presiding judge from reaching Ohakune last Friday.

Judge Ryan of Palmerston North, who had presided over the Taumarunui District Court the day before, was snowed in overnight at The Chateau. However, as the following cases had already been called, local Justice of the Peace, Mr Bill Te Karu, was appointed to deputise over proceeding in order to rule on some cases which had already been resolved and to adjourn other cases which had not received a judicial hearing until next Court sitting day: Thursday 5 July. Remanded Philip John Abel, 29, self-employed of Ohakune was remanded to appear in the Ohakune District Court on a charge of being unlawfully on a property (Winstone Pulp International Ltd) on 1 May. Careless use Daniel Makea Apera, 30, factory worker of Auckland, was remanded to appear in the Ohakune District Court on 2 August for a defended hearing on two charges including driving a motor vehicle without a current driver's licence and careless use of a motor vehicle on SH4 causing injury to Stephen Hawera on 26 January. Counsel: Paul Brown. Remanded Raina Doris Armstrong, 28, solo parent of Mt Maunganui was remanded to appear in the District Court on 30 August for a defended hearing on a charge of burglary of a private residence in Lakes Road between 29 September and 1 October 1989. Counsel: Paul Brown. Insulting language Peter Sidney Low, 22, unemployed of Pipiriki was remanded on bail to appear in the Ohakune District Court on 5 July on a charge of using

insulting language in Moore Street, Ohakune, on 17 May. Not guilty plea Darryl Wayne Pickery, 19, unemployed of Ohakune, pleaded not guilty to one charge of threatening behaviour and one charge of assaulting a police constable. He was remanded on bail to appear for a defended hearing in the Ohakune District Court on 2 August. In the meantime he was ordered to report to the Ohakune Police Station twice a week, this reporting condition replacing the curfew which had been imposed by the Court last month. Counsel: Paul Brown. No driver's licence Edward James Pickery, 16, unemployed of Ohakune, was remanded to appear for sentence in the Ohakune District Court on 5 July on a charge of driving without a licence in Clyde Street on 11 March. Further remand Stephen Charles Pui, 20, unemployed beneficiary of Raetihi, was further remanded to 5 July for sentence on a number of charges on which he has already appeared earlier this year. Defended hearing Andrew John Tamatea, 25, unemployed of Ohakune, was remanded on bail to apear in the Ohakune District Court on 2 August for a defended hearing after pleading not guilty to four charges. These included: assaulting a police constable; resisting arrest; escaping from custody; disorderly behaviour. Bail conditions include a twice-weekly reporting to the Ohakune Police Station, which replaces the curfew conditions which had been imposed when deTurn page 8

Ohakune District Court From page 6 fendant appeared on these charges last month. Counsel: Paul Brown. Further remand Julian Alexander Patrick Taylor, 22, unemployed of Ohakune, was further remanded on bail to appear in the Ohakune District court on 5 July for a defended hearing on a charge of possession of cannabis. Change of plea A 19-year old Ohakune male was further remanded to appear in the Ohakune Distrcit Court on 5 July on what was to have been a defended hearing on two charges. However, on the understanding that a change of plea will be accepted on one charge (assault on a female), the other charge (possession of cannabis) was dropped by consent. Continued interim supression of name was granted. Counsel: Paul Brown. Indecent assault The case against a 51-year old unemployed male on a charge of indecent assault on a female was adjourned until 5 July. He was granted interim supression of name. Counsel: Paul Brown. Diversions The following cases were dealt with by way of diversion and, after hearing that the defendants had fulfilled their obligations, charges were dismissed and the informations withdrawn: Kevin Ian Pine (cultivation); Yvonne Mary Taumata (theft); Kelly Amokura Wilson (using a document.)